Re: The Official Metal Thread

Originally Posted by bmack86

Doesn't matter what genre, and feel free to mention things even if you think I may have heard it, as there are some serious gaps in my classic metal knowledge.

This is a dangerous statement, by the way. I can see a whole can of worms getting opened from it. For example, how familiar are you with Death? I ask because I have a perfect segue into them in case you aren't:

Re: The Official Metal Thread

Originally Posted by bmack86

So I've got a bunch of freeleech tokens that I've gotta use up. Recommend me some classic and contemporary metal albums that you guys think of as essential. Doesn't matter what genre, and feel free to mention things even if you think I may have heard it, as there are some serious gaps in my classic metal knowledge.

On the more obvious end, I'd start with Rust in Peace by Megadeth, South of Heaven by Slayer, Vulgar Display of Power by Pantera, and Leviathan by Mastodon.

Digging a little deeper, try Overkill by Motorhead, Focus by Cynic, Spiral Shadow by Kylesa, Act III by Death Angel, and both Human and Individual Thought Pattterns by Death.

Re: The Official Metal Thread

Awesome! Chuck Schuldiner (Death) was a total god among men in the early days of extreme metal. I can't think of a single musician or band that collectively inspired my old band more than Death. A lot of people consider their album Symbolic to be their greatest, but The Sound of Perseverance has always been mine, as well as one of my favorite metal albums of all time. It also happens to be the last album they ever made. Chuck was diagnosed with cancer a year after it was released and ended up dying from it in 2001. If you dig that track and this one, you'll definitely enjoy the rest of it.

The part at 42 seconds where the music kicks back in is seriously one of the most badass moments in metal ever.

Re: The Official Metal Thread

What do people think of the early (Pre-Chaos AD) Sepultura material? I haven't listened to Arise or Beyond the Remains in near on a decade, but I remember them being much more traditional thrash and pretty brutal.

Re: The Official Metal Thread

Dead Embryonic Cells. Enough Said. Early Sepultura is the only Sepultura as far as I'm concerned. Max recently said that he wants to take Soulfly further into a more death metal sounding band, which is about the most excited I've been about him since he quit the band.

Don't know the Marduk. That Emperor album is on my shortlist for favorite black metal albums of all time. Celtic Frost's last release, Monotheist, is nearly as good as To Mega Therion, and I'd highly recommend checking it out. Also, their cover of Mexican Radio is hilarious:

Re: The Official Metal Thread

Re: The Official Metal Thread

I back all the recs so far. Entombed is also essential, any one of the first 3 records. Nightosaur is an amazing local band that is worth youtubing if not to just see videos of them live, their album "Black Blood of the Earth" is an amazing piece of broner rock and the title is a Big Trouble in Little China reference

Re: The Official Metal Thread

Originally Posted by bmack86

What do people think of the early (Pre-Chaos AD) Sepultura material? I haven't listened to Arise or Beyond the Remains in near on a decade, but I remember them being much more traditional thrash and pretty brutal.

These were going to be my contribution. I will see what I can come up with when my brain decides to re-enter my skull.

In other news Brad Wilk ( RATM) is drumming on new Sabbath album. Not sure if he is touring with them, I hope so as I have tickets to see them in a couple of months. Nobody can replace Bill but Brad is isn't such a bad option.

Re: The Official Metal Thread

Re: The Official Metal Thread

I'll throw one more out there along the lines of heavy metal. This was Chuck Schuldiner's last project before he passed away and featured a much more melodic and classic sound than anything he did with Death. Really fucking awesome stuff.

Re: The Official Metal Thread

And on that note, is Dopesmoker the best distillation of metal ever? An hour plus orgy of riffs, killer guitar solos, non-stop plodding beats and droned vocal incantations that builds to nothing but creates a singular headspace. I can find metal albums that I like quite a bit more, but none that quite so perfectly define, for me anyway, Metal as an idea.

Edit: and I have not smoked anything in months. A mostly sober question.

Re: The Official Metal Thread

So many good recs so far.

As far as essentials, i must throw in At The Gates - With Fear i Kiss The Burning Darkness for the "Gothenburg Sound" of black metal. Incredibly influential to modern metal and metalcore, and even 20 years later it is a fucking outstanding album.

And some other favorites of mine

NILE - Amongst the Catacombs of Nephren-Ka (and also Black Seeds of Vengeance) - Ancient Egypt-themed technical death metal from South Carolina

Decapitated - Nihility - these guys are an incredibly technically proficient death metal band from Poland who had one of the best most incredible drummers of all time, Vitek, who very sadly was killed in a tour bus accident is 2007.

I feel like an "essentials" conversation about metal records must include Cannibal Corpse. Despite the fact that their image and llyrical contect is so disgusting and silly, they really are one of the greatest death metal bands ever. Tomb Of The Mutilated is a fantastic place to start - "Hammer Smashed face," to me is one of the best examples of a true death metal song that i can provide to anyone interested in the genre.

BLIND GUARDIAN is a band that many might not agree with, but they are one of my favorite bands from all time. They're from Germany and are one of the best power metal bands to have ever played. Their lyrical content is not only all fantasy-based, but most of their songs are based on actual fantasy novels. Their music tends to be fairly ridiculous, with huge multi-part harmonies and a ridiculously clean sound, but it has just always struck a chord with me. Their earlier material is very much melodic speed metal, but over the years they have grown much more symphonic in structure and lean more progressive rock. I think most fans of the band would agree that Nightfall In Middle Earth, a concept album based entirely on Tolkien's The Silmarillion, is the pinnacle of their achievements. It blends the speed metal of their earlier works with the technical virtuosity and very clean sound associated with a lot of power and prog metal bands. I highly recommend giving it a listen, even if this stuff isn't normally your cup of tea. Their is a very heavy amount of Queen influence is this, by the way.

Re: The Official Metal Thread

Originally Posted by Drinkey McDrinkerstein

I feel like an "essentials" conversation about metal records must include Cannibal Corpse. Despite the fact that their image and llyrical contect is so disgusting and silly, they really are one of the greatest death metal bands ever. Tomb Of The Mutilated is a fantastic place to start - "Hammer Smashed face," to me is one of the best examples of a true death metal song that i can provide to anyone interested in the genre.

Personally I prefer "I Cum Blood". Blistering intro, a couple pretty ridiculous tempo changes...and it's great to throw on the jukebox at nearly any establishment.